The Czech exhibition at the International Architecture Biennale in Venice 2018 will be prepared by Kateřina Šedá

Prague - The Czech exhibition at the 2018 Venice Biennale of Architecture will be prepared by artist Kateřina Šedá. She won a competition for the project design organized by the National Gallery in Prague. Her project, developed in cooperation with the Egon Schiele Art Center in Český Krumlov, examines how tourism affects life in cities, the NG stated in a press release today. Šedá is a holder of the Chalupecký Award and a Czech artist known even beyond borders.

The jury selected Šedá's project from 11 submitted proposals, recognizing her approach to social architecture; this year she received the Architect of the Year award for her work. The theme of the Biennale in 2018 will be Freespace, a freely accessible space expressing the generosity of spirit and the essence of humanity as a central function of architecture. The curator of the project is Hana Jirmusová Lazarowitz from the Schiele Center.

"When I arrived in Český Krumlov, I was taken aback that practically no one lives in the historic center. One of our most beautiful cities unfortunately has the same problem as Venice - hundreds of thousands of tourists flow through here, and normal life in the streets has essentially ceased to exist. Therefore, I decided to react to this global phenomenon and find a way to revitalize cities listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and bring back what is most essential - everyday life,” said Šedá.

Her project caught the selection committee's attention particularly due to its relevance and social dimension, according to the jury. "Kateřina Šedá approaches the theme of the next biennale in a subversive way. Her proposal shows what free space is not and what limits it, critically redefines national heritage, and explores how tourism restricts life in cities," stated jury member and chief curator of the National Gallery in Prague, Adam Budak.

Šedá has long focused on socially conceived actions in her work, often employing dozens or hundreds of individuals with no connection to art. These actions usually take place directly in villages or on city streets. Experiments with interpersonal relationships aim to draw participants out of established stereotypes or social isolation. Through their own (provoked) activity and by means of new uses of everyday resources, she seeks to awaken lasting change in their behavior.